Sub-regional workshop on social protection for forest-dependent communities in East Africa held in Dar es Salaam on November 8 and 9

The event attracted the participation of governmental authorities responsible for forestry policy/programmes, social protection policy/programmes, and forest producer organizations from Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. Representatives from international and regional organizations, and from FAO headquarters, regional and sub-regional offices also attended.

Over 45 participants attended the meeting where the main objective was to exchange information and experience in social protection needs and opportunities of forest-dependent communities; and options to expand social protection coverage for forest-dependent communities were discussed.

Four new FAO working papers on social protection and sustainable forestry were released at the event. The papers help demonstrate that social protection is a valuable strategy for reducing poverty, food insecurity, and vulnerability to shocks while building resilience in forest-dependent communities in developing countries.

The meeting was organised by FAO Forestry Department, Strategic Program 3 and FAO Representation in Tanzania.